Liquid-level apparatus.



N .824,143. I l l PAIBNTBIJ-JUNB 26, 1906.

' s. ..REBVII a B. I. NoYE's.

LIQUID LEVEL APgARATUs.

APPLIoAT'III FILED 001211. 1905.

y. UNITEDA STATES PATEET DEETDE.

ISTDNEY A. REEvE, or WORCESTER, AED EDWARD ENDYES, orwin- ,cHESTEaMASSAcnUSErTS1 ASSieNoas To DHARLES E. BROWN, n TRUSTEE, or READTNG,MASSASHUSETTS.

Lianne-Leven. APPARATUS.

Speccation oi' Letters Patent.

y I Application filed October 11,1905. Serial No. 232,286.

[ r11/ZZ wliom it may concern;

Bc it known that we, SIDNEY A. REEVE, residing at Worcester, county ofWorcester, and EDWARD P. -NOYES, residing at Vlinchester, county ofMiddlesex, State of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Liquid-Level Apparatus,`of which the following specification and accompanying drawingslllustrate one form of the lnvention which We new regard as the best outofthe various forms in which the invention' may be embodied.

This lnvention relates to liquid-level-eontrolled devices applicable toa vessel contain- 4ing'a liquid and an elastic iiuid under pressure--forexample, a steam-boiler-and ,adapted to perform a useful function withrei spect to sald vessel, such as controlling the inflow or exit ofliquid or gaseous contents, giving an alarm, &c.

The invention involves the differential action of constant and variablepressuresderived from the vessel on a movable member, such as adiaphragm, under control ofl the liquid-level in the vessel, andamongthe ob- -jects sought are a sensitive and powerful action, durability,low cost, and adjustability.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a sectional view of avliquid-level a paratus embodying our invention and apiedto a vesselassumed to be a steam-boiler.

gig. 2 represents a section on the line 2 2 oi" FigJ-l. Fig. 3represents a section on the line 3 3'of Fie. 1. Fig. 4 re resents anenlarged vertical section oi the ower end of the dip-tube and adjacentparts.

The same reference characters represent the same parts in all the views.

.Referring 'to the drawings, in which for the `sake of illustration theinvention is shown as applied to regulate the feed-water supply of aeil'er, 10 designates the boiler withnormal Water-line at about the line2 2 and supplied with water through a feed-pipe 11, adapted to beconneetedwith a feed-pump. ln this is placed a valve-casing 12, formingthe lower part of the controller-casing 13 and lcontaining a balancedvalve 14, whose vertical movement o ens and closes the feed-pipe, andthus contro s the delivery of feed-water to the boiler. The feed mightbe controlled in other' well-known Ways, and for the purpose ofinterchangeabili-ty we have made the valve-casing 12 asymmetrical withrespect to its medianhorizontal axis, so that on disconnecting it andturning it end for end about .said axis without changing the position ofPatented annees, ieee.

the valve the ports of said valve-casing instead of being closed by anupward movement of the valve, as in the drawings, will be opened by suchmovement, thus adapting the valve to act as a by-pass (with suitablrevised connections) instead of' a direct fee throttle.

rlhe controller-casing 13 contains a main chamber 15, whichA isconnected by 'branch' pipes 16 17 with the steam and water spaces,

respectively, of the boiler 10, so that the same water-level ismamtained in said casing as in the boiler, the chamber 12 being, like anordinary water-column, practically a part of the boiler. r At the upperend of the casing 13 is located a diaphragm-casing 18, containing a'flexible diaphragm 19 with a chamber 20 below it forming ,acontinuation of the upper part of chamber 15, and thus 'constantly lledwith steam at normal boilerpressure, and with a chamber 21 above itsubject to variations in steam-pressure Diaphragm 19 is attached tovalve 14 by e ecnnection, Whose upper part is a t'ube 22; called thedip-tube, having an inlet at the intended water-line and an outlet to thupper diaphragm-chamber 21, and whose lower part is a rod'23,constituting the stem of the valvey 14. Said stem passes through apartition 24, dividing the chamber 15 from the valvecasing 12, in whichpartition the valve-stem has a snug machine iit and is hydraulicallypacked by the boiler-Water without requiring other packing. The upperface of this partition is upwardly coned to keep sedlment from thevalve-guide, and a blow-ofi cock 25 is provided for disposing ofsediment. The

lower face of' the partition is also upwardly The dip-tubeis adjustablyconnected with IOO rod 23 by means of a short sleeve 30, screwing on thetube, and for the pur oser of rotating the rod and sleeve the lower bossof valve 14 is embraeedby a parallel-faced claw 31, imposing rotation onthe valve, its stem 23, and the sleeve 30, but permitting their verticalmovement, said claw being journaled in the lower wall of thevalve-casing 12 and having an outside hand-wheel 32 for rotating it. Aconvenient adjustment from below is thus provided for varying the heightof the valve 14 with resp'ect to the diap thus adjusting said valve wlthre ation to its 'ports inde endently of the movement imposed. by t ediaphragm.

Fromthe upper diaphra m-ehamber 21v a vent-pipe 33 leads to any ocalityof lower pressure than the boiler and contains an ad- ]ustablevent-valve 34, through which a slight leakage is maintained, the o eningof this valve being smaller than the in et-opening of di -tube 22, sothat pressure in the upper diap agm-chamber 21 will not becomeappreciably reduced when the dip-tube is uncovered. An outsidestationary drainagepipe 35 connects the upper diaphragm-chamer with thewater-space of the casing-chamber 15 to permit the return to the boilerof water which is blown'up through the diptube when the latter becomesuncovered.

In the operation of the regulator as shown, supposing the water-level tobe below the inlet of di -tube 22, the full boiler steam-pressure Wilexist in both lower and upper diaphra ni-chambers .20 21,fluid-pressures on the ia hragm 19 will be balanced, and accordingly sring 26 will depress the diaphragm an open the valve 14, thus permittingfeed-water to enter the boiler. The pump is supposed to deliver morewater than the boiler evaporates, so that the water-level will rise andfinally cover the inlet of vdiptube 22. The up er diaphragm-chamber 21being then sealer from the steam-space of the boiler, the slight leakageestablished past vent-valve 34 (aided by condensation of steam) willrapidly reduce the fluid-pressure acting on the up er side of thediaphragm, Water rises in the dip-tube a measure of the differentialthus created, and the preponderating pressure on the lower side of thediapliragm raises the latter and tends to close the feed-valve 14 andstop the feed; but this elevation of the diaphragm also tends to raisethe dip-tube out of Water, limit the amount of variation of the pressurein the upper diapluagm-chamber, and restore equality of pressure aboveand below theI diaphragm at a slightly-higher water-level. lf the levelstill continues to rise, the above action is repeated until evaporationand feed are balanced. lf the level starts to fall, the foregoing'action takes plaeo on a deseending seale, the feed-valve l/l beinggradually opened 'wider or more frequently to permit a more eora m 19,andy pious feed or greater frequency of feed. Thus 1t will be seen thatthe dia hragm has a plurality of positions of equililirium or balancedpressure corres ending' to slightly-different iquid-levels. he coveringof the dip-tube destroys the pressure equilibrium, and the raising ofthe inlet of said. tube out of water neutralizes the force whichdestroyed said equilibrium. This is an important feature, for althoughour invention 1s operative and useful .without it the use of the movableinlet gives a controlling motion of more delicate character and makespossible the partial opening and shutting of the controlling-valve tosuit the need of the movement.

vl/Vhile a minute leakage is the referred means of reducing the pressurein tire upper diaphragm-chamber after the water has covered the inlet tosaid chamber, and we con- Sider that this expedient has many advantages,we do not wholly confine ourselves thereto.

.A useful feature in the construction and arrangement of our controllerconsists in the l0- cation of the diaphragm and the pump-valve at remotepoints, so that the former may be above the Water-level and the latterbelow, making it unnecessary to carry the waterpipe and valve above thewater-line, and also the provision of a simple hydraulic packing in thepartition separating the boiler-section of the controller-casing fromthe ump-valve chamber, which enables the va ve-stem to work with greatfreedom, but which would be difficult to maintain if the valve were atthe same end of the casing as the unsubmerged diaphragm.

Our invention is capable of a variety of adaptations and modificationsof structure to meet particular needs. It may be used as a gas or liquidtrap, may control the height of a water seal, and may be combined withvarious additional mechanism designed to add to or modify its functions.

This application is in part a substitute for and continuation of ourapplication, Serial No. 204,592, inea April 23, i904.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-o 1.The combination with a vessel adapted to contain a body of liquid and anelastic fluid under pressure, of a movable member operated bydifferences in pressure of said elastic fluid for performing a usefulfunction with respect to said vessel, a chamber on one side of saidmember constantly open to the upper space of said vessel, and achaniberon the opposite side of said member having an elastic-fluid inlet fromsaid vessel sub,4` the li uid-level therein.

2. he combination with a vessel adapted to contain. a body of liquid andan elastic fluid under pressure, of a movable diaphra m above the lauid-line for performing a use ul function Wit respect to'sad Avessel, acham'- IOO .seams to contain a body of liquid and an elastic iiuid underpressure, of a member operated by diierences oi pressure of said elasticiluid thereon tor performing a useful function with respect to saidvessel', a chamber on one side of said member having an elastic-fluidinlet from said vessel subject to the'v liquid-level therein, and aleakage-outlet from said chamber for reducing the pressure in the latterand causing movement of said member when said inlet isfeovered by theliquid;i

d. The combination With a vessel adapted to contain a body of liquid andan elastic iluid under pressure, of .a member operated by didcrences ofpressure oi said elastic iluid. thereon for performing a useful functionwith respect to said vessel, a chamber on oneside.

v of said member having an elastic-duid ,inletl from said vessel subjectto the liquidlevel therein, and a lealrageputlet from said cham-4 l bersmaller in size than said inlet for reducing the pressure the latter andcausing movement of said member when said inlet is covered by theliquid. v

5. The combination with a vessel adapted to contain a body of liquid andan elastic duid under pressure, of a differential member located abovethe liquid-line for performing a "useulfunction With res ect to lsaidvessel, chambers on opposite si es oi said member one of which 1sconnected with the upper space of said vessel, the other having an inletfrom 4said vessel at the intended liquid-line, and a leakageoutlet fromthe latter chamber.

6. ln a liquid-level controller,` the combination i of adiHerentially-controlled movable member, a chamber on one side thereofhaving aleakage-exit and an inlet subject to the liquid-level inthecontrolled vesse a cham ber on the opposite side of said member .subjectto the lpressure in said vessel, and means to ad'ustt e size of saidexit.

' 7. nliquid-level apparatus, the combina-v tion of a vessel forcontaining a liquid Whose level varies and an elastic pressure-fluid, adevice for performinp a useful function With respect to said vess'e andhaving a plurality oi positions of equilibrium, means subject to theliquid-level for subjecting said device to a force Which destroysitsequilibrium., and means operated by the movement of said device to a newposition of equilibrium Jfor neuy tralizing the iniluence of said torce.A

8. In liquid-level apparatus, the ccmbina' tion of a .pressure vesselhaving liquid and elasticdiuid contents, a device crmtrolled by theliquid-level and, ope ated 2cv f; rcvfences spect to the da hragm.

of elastic-duid pressure produced-.by varia-V tion in said level, forperformng'a useful function in connection with said vessel, and meanscontrolled by said device for establishing equilibrium of thefluidressures acting thereon, at a plurality of di erent liquidlevels.

9. ln aliquid-level controller, the-combination of a pressure vessel, achamber having an inlet from said vessel subject to the liquid-l leveltherein, and means controlled by the pressure 'n said chamber forlimiting the amount o variation of said pressure.

1Q. ln a liquid-level controller, the combi- -nation of a pressurevessel, a chamber having Ya pressure connection. with said vessel andprovidedwith movable ressure-.varying in said chamber for limiting themovement of said means.

il. ln liquid-level controller, the combi.-

mea'na and means controlle by the pressure j nation oi a pressurevessel, a chamber having an inlet from said vessel at the intendednormal-liquid-line, and means operated by' the difference inelastic-duid pressure betweenl said chamber and the vessel for varyingthe height of said inlet. j

l2. ln a liquid-level controller, the combif nation ot a rassurevessel-,ehambers aboveA the normal iquid-level in'said lvessehone ciwhich has a pressure connection with the ves- ,sel above said level, amovable' partition sep-v arating said chambers, and. a diptube carriedbsaid partition connecting the interior of sai vessel with the other otsaid chambers.

i oe

' 13. in alliquid-level controller, the combination of two chambers, aninterposed mov-l able member lsubject differentially to the pressuresinsaid chambers, a ieed-valve'confl nected with `said member, andexternally-` exposed means for adjusting said valvewith' respect to saidmember.

14. In a liquid-level controller, thev combi- 'l r nation of a casinghaving two diaphragmchambers, a movable dia hragm'separating saidchambers, a feed-va ve attached to the diaphragm and having a'threadedadjust-'-v ment for varying its distance from the diaphragm, and arotary valveiadjuster mounti Aed on4 the casing and connected f or jointroT tation and for relative longitudinesliding movement with said valve,Whereb 'the latu ter `may be longitudinally adjusts with re- 15; The comination with a vessel adapt ed'to contain a bodyoi li uid and an elasticfluid under pressure, of a ierentially-operated member above theliquid-line, and a chamber on the upper side thereoi1 having anA inletfrom said vessel subject to the' liquid-v level and a separatedrainage-outlet' leading lto the 'li uid-space of said' vessel.

i6. T e combination with-a vessel adapt-.-

ed to contain a body oi li uid and an elastic fluid under pressure, oi aiederentiallyoper*l ated member ebove'thefliquid-line, e Aehemchamberson opposite sides of said member for receiving an'elastie-fiuid pressurefrom 'said vessel, andra, conduit connection extending from one of saidchambers to .the intendL ed liquidline in the direction of seid valveand ada )ted to have its inlet alternately cov,- ered and uncovered bythe liquid.

18. In e liquid-level controller the combination of a easing having etdifferent heights a diiferentiel member and e Valve-ehumber,

a liquid-oo1itrolling valve in the valve-chan ber, conduit connectionsextending from said easing et drierent heights i'or connection l withthe steem and Water s aces of ay boiler or similar vessel, elastic-Hui-pressure clmmbers on opposite sides of said member, one ol which has eninlet at the intended witterL line between seid memberand vulve andtheother a boi1er-inlet above seid line, e perti-v tion separating theintermediate portion of' the oasmg from said valve-chamber, and anoperating connection between said member and velve traversing saidpartition und fitted for hydraulic` peeking therein bythe vboiler-Water..

In witness whereof we .have hereunto set our hands, before twosubscribing witnesses, the 9th dey of September, 1905.

SIDNEY A. REEVE. EDWARD I. NOYES. Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, .In 1V. HARRISON.

